Adjustable supports for and/or incorporated in liquid conduits used principally in conjunction with waste systems of travel trailers and mobile homes



Feb. 3, 1970 M. L. PROUTY 3,493,204

ADJUSTABLE SUPPORTS FOR AND/OR mconromxmn IN LIQUID CONDUITS USEDPRINCIPALLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH WASTE SYSTEMS OF TRAVEL TRAILERS ANDMOBILE norms Filed Nov. 24, 196'! 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

: MELVIN L. PPO'U TY BY 4 M. L. PROUTY Feb. 3, 1970 3,493,204 IQUIDCONDUITS SYSTEMS OF ADJUSTABLE SUPPORTS FOR AND R INCORPORATED IN L USEDPRINCIPALLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH WASTE TRAVEL TRAILERS AND MOBILE HOMESFiled Nov.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

MELVIN L. P/POUT Feb. 3, 1970 M. L. PROUTY 7 3,493,204

ADJUSTABLE SUPPORTS FOR AND/OR INCORPORATED IN LIQUID CONDUITS USEDPRINCIPALLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH WASTE SYSTEMS OF TRAVEL TRAILERS ANDMOBILE HOMES Filed Nov. 24, 19s? 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

IMELV/N L. PPOUTY BY Feb. 3, 1970 M. PROUTY 3,493,204

ADJUSTABLE SUPPORTS FOR AND/0R INCORPORATED IN LIQUID CONDUITS USEDPRINCIPALLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH WASTE SYSTEMS 0F 7 TRAVEL TRAILERS ANDMOBILE HOMES Filed Nov. 24, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

lMELV/N L. PPOUTY BY U.S. Cl. 243-49 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURESupporting assemblies are made as part of a liquid conduit or made as anaccessory therefore to position flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid conduiton a substantially uniform gradual decline, as for example, from atravel trailer or mobile home waste outlet to a ground inlet of atrailer park. These supporting assemblies comprise elongated groundcontacting rods which are preferably pointed and frictionally held intransverse, opposed sloping positions at selected variable places alongtheir rod lengths to provide elevational changes of liquid conduit.These rods are so positioned by passing portions of them throughapertures formed in spaced, deflectable tabs 0r ear like projectionsarranged in at least two oppositely located groups of at least two tabseach, which are originally incorporated circumferentially into suchliquid conduit, or are furnished as part of a substantially completewrap around support body, sleeve, or collar. The selection of correctactive supporting lengths of these elongated ground contacting rods fromthe gripping tabs or cars to the ground results in the selective overallpositioning of a completely continuously drainable liquid conduit.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Where permanent drains cannot be locateddirectly below or reasonably nearby the drain openings of traveltrailers, mobile homes, truck-campers, and other mobile and/ ortemporary living accommodations, there is always a need for a run offluid conduit. Moreover, there is a need for the run or length ofconduit to be gradually decreasing in elevation, so all waste liquidsand materials carried thereby will continuously drain into permanentdrains and sewers of such trailer parks and other similar areas.Therefore most travel trailers or the like are equipped with sections ofconduit but not always with supports for such conduit. Also, even thoughthe drain line outlets of various types of mobile living units can bepositioned close to sewer inlets, support facilities are necessary forflexible drain lines. They are necessitated by the preference of keepingthe drain hose in its original standard length of either 8 or 10 feetwhen it is fully extended. On a shorter run, then the standard length iscurved while being gradually lowered in elevation. Where such conduitsare to be used, supports are often made at each stopping place from oddlots of available materials. Some supports are known to be available ingroups, each support being of a pro-selected elevation. Generally allare reasonably bulky and not as conveniently set up, adjusted, and takendown for compact enroute storage when compared to these adjustableconduit supports.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION A drain line is made available which may beuniformly lowered from an entry to an exit to insure complete dischargeat all times, as spaced units of adjustable legs are set at differenteffective lengths between respec- States Patent 0 3,493,294 PatentedFeb. 3, 1970 tive gripping tabs supported alongside the drain line andactual ground surfaces below these paired tabs. Then when storage of adrain line is undertaken in preparation for moving a travel trailer,other vehicle, or housing unit, removal of legs and their bundling isconveniently undertaken by quick finger manipulation of tabs and legs.

The support sleeves may remain in place on the conduit, at all times,for the combination conduit or drain line and the support sleevesretains sufiicient flexibility during its set up as a drain and for itsstorage during travel. The removability of the support sleeves has aparticular distinct advantage when a conduit section is damaged, forthey may be removed and reused on a replacement conduit section of adrain line. Their radially directed release is handled quickly afterconveniently expanding and withdrawing the retaining loops of elasticmaterial.

DRAWINGS At the outset of introducing these adjustable conduit supportsto potential users, an accessory embodiment is being offered becausemost users presently have conduits which are devoid of any attachment orsupport facilities or of any convenient facilities. However, as theseconduit supports become more widely known, production of conduits havingsupports initially incorporated into conduit structure will be expandedespecially for outfitting a new travel trailer, mobile home or othervehicle having such a need.

The preferred accessory embodiment is first illustrated in the drawingsfollowed by a view of incorporated conduit supports. In these drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a travel trailerindicating how conduit supports are selectively used to position adischarge fluid conduit as it extends from a trailer discharge drainfitting to a trailer park sewer entry drain fitting;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a conduitshowing conduit supports arranged to insure complete drainage of theconduit;

FIGURE 3 is a side view of a conduit support showing how a supportingcollar, tabs on the collar, adjustable legs positioned by the tabs andan overall securing mem- 1her are all arranged about a conduit indicatedwith dotted mes;

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view of a conduit support, also shown inFIGURE 3, showing how a supporting collar, tabs on the collar,adjustable legs positioned by the tabs and an overall securing memberare all arranged about a conduit indicated with dotted lines; and

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view of a conduit originally produced withtabs which are shown holding adjustable legs in the same manner asindicated in FIG- URES 1 through 4.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Accessory embodiment As illustrated in FIGURE 1,there is a need for hooking up a drain line 16 when a travel trailer 20is parked in a trailer court. Moreover, as indicated in FIGURES 1 and 2,a drain line 16 should be installed to drain properly. This requires aprogressively decreasing elevation of each conduit portion or section 28of a drain 16 to avoid pockets or depressions.

Generally each travel trailer carries a section 28 or sections ofconduit in 8 or 10 foot lengths each selectively having a diameter,equalling or approximating, 2, 2 /2, 3 or 3 /2 inches which are used forsuch drains. Very few travel trailers carry shorter sections.

Each conduit section 28 is generally made of a plastic material which isflexible within reasonable tolerances.

Therefore it is supported at spaced locations each at a differentelevation. If a ground surface is substantially uniform, spaced supports12 are progressively shorter in length. If a ground surface isirregular, spaced supports 12 must be carefully tailored in length toinsure a uniform decrease in elevation of drain line 16. A drain 16 orconduit 28 is often gradually curved to direct waste to a ground drainpipe fitting 22 which may not be located directly in line with adischarge fitting 18 on a travel trailer 2, as illustrated in FIGURE 1.

Within these environmental specifications an accessory embodiment 12 ofconduit supports, shown in FIGURES 1 through 4, are presently providingoverall support for drain lines 16, meeting all drainage requirementsand furthermore meeting all handling and storage requirements whether anaccessory embodiment 12 is stored and handled separately, in whole, orin part with respect to handling and storing conduit sections 28. At alltimes all operations are conveniently undertaken and storage facilitiesrequired are kept at a minimum.

These drainage, handling and storing advantages are realized because ofthe construction and utilization of accessory embodiment 12 illustratedin FIGURES 1 through 4 and also of semi-self-contained embodiment 14illustrated in FIGURE 5. In FIGURES 1 and 2, a run of drain line 16 isillustrated as being supported by spaced accessory embodiments 12 asdrain line 16 is extended from discharge outlet 18 on travel trailer 20to a ground fitting 22 located on property of a trailer court.

Each accessory embodiment 12 is preferably composed of a flexiblesleever 26, which is longer along on its bottom 27 for rendering supportas it is wrapped about a conduit section 28 of a drain line 16. Tabs orears 30, 32, 34 and 36 are formed on each flexible sleeve 26 in pairs,one pair being located on each side of the sleeve 26 and composed of anupper and lower tab. Each tab is preferably shaped from sleeve materialby making an accurate cut 38 and then bending the tab outwardly fromconduit section 28 about an imaginary axis extending between the termini40 of cut 38. The termini 40 of the cuts are circular or any other shapeserving the twofold purposes of preventing tearing of the ends of cuts38 and providing an anchoring notch 40 for a securing member 46. Withrespect to each pair of tabs, accurate cuts 38 are spaced apart andarranged so bending and raising of each tab brings their respectiveswinging ends closer together. Materials used, however, in makingflexible sleeve 26 are semi-rigid so tabs 30, 32, 34 and 36 will alltend to remain near to their initial cut out location until forcedcloser together.

These tab characteristics are used to functionally and adjustably holdrods or legs 42 after they are passed through holes 44 made in the nearcenter of each tab as illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4. Positioning oflegs 42, each supported by a pair of tabs 32, 34, 36 or 30 is undertakenby pivoting respective paired tabs together to commence to align theirholes 44 without fully reaching an outward position of each tab.Thereafter a rod or leg 42 is threaded down through holes '44 to groundlevel. Upon release of respective tabs they tend to return to their nearsleeve position. In so doing they frictionally grip leg 42 more securelyat their hole locations.

Each flexible sleeve 26 is held in place by using a loop of preferablyelastic material 46 that is passed around all tabs, with bottom tabs 32,36 on each side serving to anchor elastic loop 46. With the loops 46 inplace and all legs 42 installed, each accessory embodiment 12 isperforming its supporting function.

The spacing of several accessory embodiments 12 along conduit sections28, each one having its legs properly adjusted to uniformly decrease theelevation of drain line 16 from trailer discharge 18 to sewer intake orground fitting 22 provides excellent drainage for all waste materials.This functional result is also possible 4 when tabs are initially made apart of conduit sections 50 by molding, bonding, etc.

Conduit with tabs embodiment Although an accessory embodiment willalways be useful where standard conduit 28 is to be used, conduit 50 isalso formed initially with tabs 30, 32, 34, 36 bonded to it orfabricated from it so that auxiliary sleeves with tabs are notnecessary. Insertion of legs 42 is undertaken in like manner to theirinsertion in accessory embodiment 12. Their effective heights betweenpaired tabs 30, 32 or 34, 36 and the ground 24 will be set to positiondrain line 16 so waste liquids and materials will flow completelythrough all portions of conduits 50. There are no pockets to collectwaste which will be difficult to remove upon subsequent flushingscreating initialy and thereafter sources of odors and congestion.

Handling and storage of embodiments Whether tabs 30, 32, 34, 36 are madeavailable by using a sleeve 26, which also gives extra support to someflexible conduits 28 or by incorporating tabs into flexible conduits 50of sufiicient strength, their utilization to adjustably receive and holdrods or legs 42 on a bias is the basis for extreme convenience inhandling and storing an excellent drain line 16.

Each travel trailer 20 or vehicle having a like need has a rathercompact storage area for holding drain line equipment when underway. Thesize limitation requires storing conduit 28, 50 without hindrance of itssupporting legs 42. So underway they are removed by finger manipulationof tabs and then bundled together. In respect to accessory embodiment12, sleeves 26 generaly remain in place on conduit 28 without hamperingstorage. By so doing, dismantling and erection of the drain line isgreatly facilitated. However, sleeves 26 may be removed after releasingtheir respective loops of elastic material 46 and stored separately.

Materials and sizes of a specific accessory embodiment A preferredrelationship of materials, sizes and thicknesses is indicated by thefollowing examples:

Conduit materials are made from various plastics or rubber compounds,with or without fabric reinforcement.

Sleeve materials are made of polyethylene or similar plastics, fromsheets, tubes or molded piece, ranging in thickness from to inthickness; preferably Leg materials are made in rod form having anycross section size and made of a weather resistant quality, all havingsufficient strength for moderate support such as polystyrene 'rods' ofdiameters A through diam eter or metal rods possibly of smallerdiameter; preferably W Retaining loop materials are made from any goodquality rubber band or other elastic material of proper loop size andsufficient strength.

I claim:

1. A drain line for conveying sewage and other wastes from housingunits; such as travel trailers, mobile homes, campers, car homes andtemporary dwelling quarters, into entrances located at ground level ofsewer systems, the drain line being lightweight, requiring very littleadditional storage space when carried by a travel trailer, andcomprising:

(a) conduit drain section (b) reinforcement sleeves for attachment toconduit drain section at spaced locations (c) fasteners to securereinforcement sleeves to conduit sections;

(d) tabs on the reinforcement sleeves arranged in pairs to be positionedon opposite sides of the conduit section and in each pair, tabs are inturn spaced and formed with a hole, these holes being aligned uponbending the tabs of each pair toward one another against their inherentreturn force;

(e) a pair of legs, each respectively passed through aligned holes of apair of tabs to a selected dis tance of overall length of eachrespective leg, and upon release of the tabs, these legs are firmly heldin their selected effective length position to hold a portion of aconduit drain section above the ground, so that an overall drain linewill have a constant decrease in elevation.

2. An accessory supporting means adapted to position a conduit drainsection from a housing unit, such as a travel trailer, mobile home,camper, car home and temporary dwelling quarters to a ground level entryof a sewer system, the accessory means, comprising:

(a) reinforcement sleeves adapted for attachment to a conduit drainsection at spaced locations;

(b) fasteners to secure reinforcement sleeves to a conduit section;

(c) tabs on the reinforcement sleeves arranged in pairs to be eventuallypositioned on opposite sides of a conduit section, and in each pair,tabs are inturn spaced and formed with a hole, these holes being alignedupon bending the tabs of each pair toward one another against theirinherent return force;

(d) a pair of legs, each respectively passed through aligned holes of apair of tabs to a selected distance of overall length of each respectiveleg, and upon release of the tabs, these legs are firmly held in theirselective effective length position to hold a portion of a conduit drainsection above the ground, so that an overall drain line will have aconstant decrease in elevation.

3. An accessory supporting means, as claimed in claim 2, wherein thefasteners used in securing the reinforcement sleeves to a conduitsection, are loops of resilient material stretched from around the lowertab of one pair of tabs on one side of a reinforcement to the lower tabof another pair of tabs on the other side of a reinforcement.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Shay 24-243 Brown 248--84 Licata248-87 X Jones 24883 Schroeter 248-49 Tatsch 138106 X Bittner- 24849 US.Cl. X.R.

